With Machado heading to San Diego, attention turns to Harper

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The first domino in the never-ending free agent stalemate of 2019 has finally fallen. Manny Machado has agreed to a 10-year, $300 million deal with the Padres, according to multiple reports this afternoon.

Which means Bryce Harper is now on the clock, and the bar for his eventual contract has been set by San Diego.

The Machado news broke as the Nationals' first full-squad workout was in its final stages, and word spread quickly through the complex. For veteran players who had been speaking out against this offseason's stalled free agent process, it was welcome news.

"That's good for the game," said Max Scherzer, who set a record for free agent pitchers with his seven-year, $210 million contract four winters ago. "Good for the stars of the game to get signed, and a face of the game to get signed for a 10-year contract. When you see players this young reach free agency, I know we have aging curves, but even with these aging curves players are still productive out to age 36. From a free agent standpoint, to see a player get his prime cut all the way out to age 36, that's good for the game."

Trea Turner, once touted as the Padres' shortstop of the future before he was dealt along with Joe Ross in a three-team trade that proved hugely beneficial to the Nationals, was happy not only that Machado got a big payday but that he can now get back on the field.

"I hope everyone gets $300 million. I would love - I think everybody would love - that kind of money," Turner said. "But I think he's an unbelievable player. For him to get a chance to get in and start playing again is great. I don't want to see those guys sign late. I think that just puts players in a tough spot to try to get ready faster. You just want people to be healthy and play as much baseball as possible. So I'm happy for him."

All attention now turns to Harper, and to the Phillies, who made no secret about their determination to sign one of the offseason's two top free agents. Though the first week of spring training featured countless rumors about the possibility of a deal with Philadelphia, there's been no concrete reporting to suggest the two sides are anywhere close to anything.

Harper and agent Scott Boras surely want to top Machado's contract, which matched the Nationals' end-of-season offer to retain their star outfielder. The Phillies will feel pressured to get that done, but the question lingers whether Harper truly wants to play for them.

If not Philadelphia, though, Harper's alternatives aren't real clear. The White Sox have been involved all along in the derby for both star free agents, but executive vice president Kenny Williams told reporters today they couldn't reach the $300 million figure required to land Machado. It seems doubtful they'd go beyond that number to reel in Harper.

Harper also reportedly met with the Padres and Giants in recent weeks, though San Francisco reportedly wasn't willing to offer the long-term deal Harper seeks.

What about the Nationals? They've remained publicly silent about any conversations they've had in recent weeks with Harper, but club sources confirmed they told the 26-year-old their $300 million offer would expire once free agency began in early November.

Whether ownership would be willing to revisit that position, and possibly even surpass their original offer, in an attempt to keep Harper and prevent him from signing with a division rival remains to be seen.